This is the Full Hull version kit of a charming steam powered vessel is designed to give the modeler the best advantages in building and finishing a terrific model. All of the original patterns were made in our shop with reference to the details of several prototypes and much research in books, museums, and conversations with master modelers. We use the finest molds and artist’s resins to bring you the highest quality hand poured castings possible .The highly detailed resin pilot house is one molded assembly with wall planking, doors, and vertical window frames molded in. The resin deck houses consist of four detailed walls each and easy assembly. The waterline hull incorporates decking and four coal hatches, two next to the port and two next to the starboard rail. The etched brass ladder and railings are our own design and made exclusively for our kits. The quality pewter castings add the required detail. This kit includes excellent instructions, drawings, and glossary of terms.

These heavy, wooden, and double framed vessels would have been designed, built, owned, and operated by fisheries, local families, or investors, etc. The basic design of the vessel has not changed since the late 1800s. The vessel purse seined for menhaden as a first and primary use. Some of the vessels were converted and used for other purposes such as houseboats, landlocked restaurants, naval patrol boats, general work or cargo haulers, etc. This is not a specific model of any one of the hundreds of Menhaden steamers that worked the waters from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico under steam or diesel power. This is a model of a converted menhaden steamer. It represents what a menhaden steamer might have looked like if converted into a general work, cargo, or fish hauling vessel. A second boiler has been added forward to propel the vessel and the primary boiler left aft to operate the heavy cargo handling winches. The crow’s nest has been removed. Some height has been added to the aft deck house. There is so much to say about these steam powered vessels that have a distinct parallel with our nation’s history. I will not attempt to be historian but focus on building this kit. However, I strongly recommend that you read up on the subject. Here are a few great books that you might have a hard time putting down.

STEAMBOAT DAYS by Fred Irving Dayton STEAMBOATS YESTERDAYS (ON CASCO BAY) by Capt. William J Frappier STEAMBOATS of GLOUCESTER and the NORTH SHORE by John Lester Sutherland STEAMBOATS COME TRUE by James Thomas Flexner MODEL BOAT BUILDING by Steve Rogers and Staby Rogers